President Trump said Tuesday that Iran’s “Supreme Leader” is an “easy target” but that there are not plans to take him out — “at least right now.”
The Truth Social post is another escalation in rhetoric from the president on the fifth day of the Israel-Iran war.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump posted. “He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”
Trump was referring to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump added.
The president’s comments came as he was meeting with top officials in the Situation Room to monitor the conflict between Israel and Iran. It also comes amid chatter among Israeli officials and some U.S. officials about whether to push for regime change in Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday declined to rule out targeting Iran’s supreme leader, something Trump reportedly cautioned him against doing. Israel has also crippled Iran’s air defenses, leaving it largely defenses against an onslaught of strikes.
Trump departed the Group of Seven meeting in Canada late Monday, one day earlier than expected, because he wanted to be back in Washington as Israel and Iran traded missile strikes.
The president said during the flight back to Washington he was looking for “an end, a real end. Not a ceasefire, a real end.” He later described what he was seeking as a “complete give-up” by Iran.
